Take steps to stop using tobacco

To the editor:

How does the coronavirus affect people who use tobacco products?

This is a question that I have been asked often as the tobacco prevention coordinator for Jay County, and I am happy to say that there is a lot of research, and even more resources, to present as an answer to this question.

In general, long-term smokers and e-cigarette users are at a heightened risk of developing chronic lung conditions. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that those with serious underlying medical conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease and diabetes, may be at a higher risk from COVID-19.

In addition, experts are warning that based on current research, people with compromised health due to smoking or vaping and people with opioid, methamphetamine, cannabis and other substance use disorders could find themselves with an increased risk of COVID-19 and its more serious complications.

For anyone interested, there are free resources available that Hoosiers can use in the comfort of their own home, including the Indiana Tobacco Quitline. Those who are ready to quit can call (800) Quit-Now — (800) 784-8669 — for phone counseling or by visiting QuitNowIndiana.com for more information. Those who are interested in quitting vaping specifically can also text “Indiana” to 88709 to enroll in the “This Is Quitting” text messaging program.

Simply put, now is the best time for tobacco users to quit in order to keep their families and themselves safe from the global outbreak of COVID-19.

Sydney Haines

Tobacco prevention coordinator

Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition